Veronica saves the world — one monkey at a time

It’s like a dream come true — new Veronica Mars episode, chock-full o’ Mac and on top of that, there’s a monkey involved! Everything is better when you toss in a monkey or two, I think.

Unfortunately, things aren’t looking so great for the monkey in question. Number 25, as he’s called, is a lab monkey who’s gone missing from a Hearst science lab, and guess who’s been called in to investigate? Still reeling from her breakup with Logan, Veronica decides to take the job, if only to keep herself occupied. Looks like this case is going to be a tough one to crack; who wouldn’t want their very own monkey?

Let me interrupt here with an apology. While standing on one leg, holding my antenna in the air in an attempt to view the CW clearly, I had to drop everything and (as the commercial says) “Get the door. It’s Domino’s.” Unfortunately, Domino’s was at the wrong door … at the wrong apartment complex … in the cold rain. So, for about 10 minutes that should have been spent watching Veronica’s monkey hunt, I had to embark on a pizza-guy hunt.

Fortunately, Veronica hasn’t made much headway with the monkey case when I return with a slice of thin-crust pepperoni in hand. Keith has been approached by Mindy O’Dell to investigate her husband’s death, which the cops have ruled a suicide. There’s no evidence to the contrary at this point — except for the fact that this is Veronica Mars, and nothing is ever that cut and dry. Keith has to think about it.

Mac has a crush! On a really cute, animal-loving guy who likes her back! Interesting that this PHAT (People for Humane Animal Treatment) member pops up around the same time a lab monkey goes missing. Just one of those things that make you go “Hmm…”

And how funny is the classic rocker visiting campus, Ted, er, Ed Argent? Veronica Mars is pop-culture parodying at its best.

Veronica, Mac and Parker (who is becoming more likable by the second) play a prank on the rifle-toting rocker to gain the PHAT kids’ trust — a first step in sniffing out the missing monkey. Too bad the next hoop they’re required to jump through is a nude photo shoot for an anti-fur calendar. Thanks but no thanks — they like their synthetic-fiber outfits just fine.

But you know who IS getting naked? Logan is — well, at least naked enough to have some sweaty car sex with a beach bimbo. So is that post-coital look of sadness on his face due to the fact that she’s just into him for his pseudo-celebrity status, or is he missing Veronica? I think we’re supposed to believe it’s the latter.

One person who’s not mourning the death of the LoVe relationship is Piz. OK, I know true Veronica fans aren’t supposed to be rooting for Piz, but frankly, I want something to happen with him and Veronica. So what if Logan and Veronica are “epic”; Piz seems like a genuine person who is smart and funny and who likes her for who she is — opinions, stubborn streak and all.

The student center dinner conversation between Piz and Veronica is very sweet, and I’m starting to doubt those spoilers I’ve read that say V and Logan are going to gravitate back to each other in this episode. Finally, Piz has a chance to make his move, and … what the heck? Why is Veronica at Logan’s door now? Oh, no. Why are they kissing like Scarlett and Rhett? The tragedy of it all. You know this is a bad decision.

Mac’s given a chance to kiss her cute, anti-fur boy at the school’s “Around the World” party. The power trio of Mac, Parker and Veronica welcome him to their country — Canada, complete with Barenaked Ladies music. Veronica dancing is adorable, by the way. Unfortunately, Mac freaks out, um, aboot his attempt at a kiss and dodges his lips.

Veronica still suspects he’s a monkey thief. After all, her finding a box of mice that had been reported missing by the lab doesn’t look good for him, despite his claims that they just appeared at his doorstep. “What, like in a tiny van with a sob story about needing a place to crash?” Veronica snaps. Cute, but no.

Despite her cynicism, she is particularly disturbed to learn from the lab students that time was almost up for Number 25 anyway. The only way to get any conclusive results from their tests on him would be to perform an autopsy. Monkey murder! So when she finds Number 25, does she really have to give him back?

As in all good TV shows (because let’s face it, what decent program would do such an awful thing to a harmless animal?), Veronica doesn’t have to worry about the monkey’s fate. The culprit, it seems, is not Mac’s PHAT boy (thank goodness); it’s actually one of the two lab students who originally reported the crime.

The guy tells Veronica that they call the lab animals by numbers because it’s too hard to stay detached to something that has a name. So true. He’s clearly already attached to Number 25 — that is, Oscar, as he’s named the monkey. Awww … warm fuzzy moment. Too bad the girl lab student has already placed an order for another monkey to take Oscar’s place in the project.

Other success stories: Mac finally plants a kiss on her boy by the episode’s end! Attagirl! Mrs. O’Dell gets Keith to commit to investigating the dean’s murder. By the way, Keith’s scene in the bar with Professor Landry, their dialogue about lost love and Linda Rondstadt singing “Long, Long Time” is beautifully heartwrenching. We need more Keith!

I’ll admit, the Dean O’Dell murder mystery is not exactly the sexiest storyline this show has ever produced, but I’ll go with it. Besides, the characters’ relationships seem to be more front and center this season, and those dynamics are far better than any old murder, theft or assault in my book.